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Lightning strikes keep emergency crews busy

Hernando Today photo by MELISSA FREEMAN

The brush fire at Memorial Highway near Countryway Boulevard was blamed on lightning.

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TBO.com

Published: June 17, 2009

Twelve lightning strikes in four hours caused five structure fires, set four trees ablaze and triggered a brush fire, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue officials say.

Another bolt of lightning split a large oak tree which then fell into a home at 421 Deborah Lane in Brandon. Power lines fell on an adjacent home, and firefighters and Tampa Electric Co. crews have responded to the scene, fire rescue Chief Craig Lynn said.

No one was hurt, and the American Red Cross is helping find temporary shelter for seven people.

Lightning is also to blame for a 40-foot tall pine tree falling on a home at 12806 Cattail Shore Lane in Riverview, Lynn said. A second tree has fallen on a home at 12806 Cattail Shore Lane in Riverview. No one was hurt and the damage was minor.

The five structures struck by lightning all had minor damage, Lynn said.

The brush fire at Memorial Highway near Countryway Boulevard was quickly contained, and rain helped crews that responded to the call, Lynn said.

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